Western NC Black Student College Send-Off Celebrates the Next Generation
More than 30 students were celebrated and encouraged to be both courageous and curious.
By Rev. Shawn Palmer –
On Sunday, August 9, 2026, the YMI bustled with excitement during a weekend filled with Washington, DC’s homegrown music, Go-Go.
While the music filled the air, more than 14 mostly Black-led and Black-centered organizations came together to create the Western North Carolina Black Student College Send-Off.
The brainchild of Kyla Morton, an employee of the Avery Learning Center and a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the Send-Off was created to celebrate students of African descent who are headed to various colleges and universities around the country. More than 30 students were celebrated, charged to do their best, and sent off with gifts and resources designed to support their next chapter. Students represented schools including NCA&T, A-B Tech, Denison University, and NCCU.
The community showed its commitment to these students in tangible ways. Land of Sky provided laptops, Kappa Alpha Psi offered gift cards, and Alpha Kappa Alpha provided hygiene projects. Alpha Phi Alpha, the YMI, The Links, and RSAA offered additional scholarships and supplies as ways to honor young people who have made an impact in the community.
College students from Slay The Mic, home on break, and even the Mayor of Fletcher, Preston Blakely, came by to offer reflections and encouragement. One of the most memorable moments came when Mrs. Linda Holmes delivered a thought-provoking speech on the importance of youth activism and voting rights. Sharing her experiences as a Selma Freedom Fighter, Holmes encouraged students to be both courageous and curious as they enter this next chapter of their lives.
Planners say they will seek to work together again to bring the event forward in 2027.
As Anthony Thomas, YMI Board Chair, put it, “We are so grateful to be a host for this kind of event, and are working tirelessly to support our community.”
Parents and college students can look forward to this becoming an annual celebration of western North Carolina’s next generation.
The Rev. Shawn Palmer is Executive Director of the YMI Cultural Center.
